10. Preferences & logistics¶
The constraints the programme has to live inside. Answers here override anything ideal — a perfect four-day split is worthless to someone with three hours a week and a set of adjustable dumbbells.
10.1 Availability¶
| ID | Question | Type | Options / units | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
pref_days_per_week |
How many days a week can you realistically train? | Single choice | 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 | Yes |
pref_days_which |
Which days work best? | Multi-select | Mon / Tue / Wed / Thu / Fri / Sat / Sun / Flexible | Yes |
pref_time_of_day |
What time of day suits you? | Multi-select | Early morning / Morning / Lunchtime / Afternoon / Evening / Late evening / Varies | Yes |
pref_session_length |
How long can a session be? | Single choice | Up to 20 min / 20–30 min / 30–45 min / 45–60 min / 60–90 min / As long as needed | Yes |
pref_minimum_week |
On your worst week, what could you still commit to? | Short text | e.g. "two 20-minute sessions" | Yes |
10.1 last question is the safety net
pref_minimum_week defines the deload-by-life plan. Write it into the
programme as a named fallback week from the start, so a bad week is a
documented option rather than a failure.
10.2 Where and with what¶
| ID | Question | Type | Options / units | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
pref_location |
Where will you train? | Multi-select | Commercial gym / Home / Outdoors / Studio / Work gym / Hotel gyms when travelling | Yes |
pref_gym_name |
Which gym? | Short text | Helps match the programme to available kit | No |
pref_equipment |
What equipment do you have access to? | Multi-select | Barbell and plates / Squat rack / Dumbbells / Kettlebells / Resistance bands / Cable machine / Selectorised machines / Bench / Pull-up bar / Treadmill / Bike or spin bike / Rower / Mat only / Nothing, bodyweight only | Yes |
pref_equipment_home |
If training at home, describe the space. | Long text | Ceiling height, floor, noise limits, storage | Cond. |
pref_travel_setup |
What do you have access to when travelling? | Short text | — | Cond. |
pref_equipment_home → if pref_location includes Home
pref_gym_name → if pref_location includes Commercial gym or Studio
pref_travel_setup → if pref_location includes Hotel gyms when travelling
10.3 Style¶
| ID | Question | Type | Options / units | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
pref_training_social |
How do you prefer to train? | Single choice | Alone / With a coach one-to-one / With a training partner / In a small group / In a class | Yes |
pref_coaching_style |
What coaching style gets the best out of you? | Single choice | Direct and demanding / Encouraging and supportive / Collaborative, explain the why / Hands-off, just give me the plan | Yes |
pref_enjoy |
Which of these do you enjoy? | Multi-select | Lifting heavy / High-intensity intervals / Steady cardio / Circuits / Mobility and stretching / Sport and games / Outdoor activity / Machines / Free weights | No |
pref_avoid |
Which would you rather avoid? | Multi-select | Same list as above | No |
pref_music_env |
Anything about the training environment that matters to you? | Long text | Busy gyms, music, mirrors, changing rooms | No |
Take pref_avoid seriously
An exercise the client dislikes has a compliance rate close to zero, whatever its merits. Almost every training stimulus has a substitute they will actually do.
10.4 Communication¶
| ID | Question | Type | Options / units | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
pref_channel |
How should we communicate between sessions? | Single choice | Email / SMS / WhatsApp / In-app messaging / Phone call / No contact needed | Yes |
pref_frequency |
How often? | Single choice | Daily / Every few days / Weekly / Fortnightly / Only when I ask | Yes |
pref_checkin_day |
Preferred check-in day | Single choice | Mon–Sun | No |
pref_wearable |
Do you use a fitness tracker or watch? | Single choice | Apple Watch / Garmin / Fitbit / Whoop / Oura / Phone only / None / Other | No |
pref_app_comfort |
How comfortable are you using an app to follow your programme? | Scale 1–5 | 1 = not at all, 5 = very | No |
10.5 Practical¶
| ID | Question | Type | Options / units | Req. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
pref_blackout_dates |
Any dates you already know you'll be unavailable? | Long text | Holidays, work trips, events | No |
pref_accessibility |
Do you have any accessibility needs we should plan for? | Long text | Language, hearing, vision, mobility, neurodivergence | No |
pref_budget |
Is there a budget we should work within? | Short text | Optional | No |
pref_anything_else |
Anything else that would help us work well together? | Long text | — | No |
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